The publication of 'Extending Opportunities - A Conservative Policy Paper on Housing', indicates an encouraging approach to many aspects of future housing policy and will provide some much needed debate to help develop some long-term solutions to the UK's housing sector, says the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

The CIH is particularly pleased that its call for a fundamental rethink of housing policy is starting to be embedded into political thinking and that policy-makers are now beginning to recognise that whole market or holistic solutions are the only way to provide answers to issues such as under-supply, lack of affordability, growing waiting lists and carbon emissions.

Conservative Party proposals around equity stakes to make home ownership a viable option for more people, retro-fitting to reduce carbon emissions, reviewing policies on who can benefit from social housing, social mobility, developments in shared ownership and incentivising house building programmes are all current CIH proposals and their inclusion is welcomed by the professional body for housing. Other proposals in the paper are not necessarily endorsed by CIH, but it is very important the debates are heard and used to define a constructive way forward for a sector which is socially and economically key to the UK.

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However, CIH remains concerned that no political party has yet to recognise the importance of whole market reform, or to commit to comprehensive reform of home ownership, social rented housing and the private rented sector in a complementary and coordinated way. In particular, CIH would encourage the Conservative Party to develop policies urgently on their approach to the important private rented sector.

Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive said: "There is much in the Policy Paper to welcome. However, no party has yet articulated robust plans to tackle the chronic shortage of affordable housing across the UK. Unfortunately we are still only building one home for every two households that are being formed. I would urge David Cameron to develop his Party’s thinking further by taking a more holistic approach to housing reform and we look forward to debating this with him."

(CD/JM)